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Rice, C. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Rice, C. J..

10 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Infrared spectral measurement of Space Shuttle glow

The USAF and NASA successfully conducted infrared spectral measurements of the Space Shuttle glow during STS-39. Preliminary analysis indicates that NO, NO(+), OH, and CO produce infrared glow during quiescent orbiter conditions. During orbiter thruster firings the glow intensities in the infrared are enhanced by factors of 10X and 100X with significant changes in spectral distribution. These measurements were obtained with the Spacecraft Kinetic Infrared Test payload which included a cryogenic infrared circular variable filter infrared spectrometer covering the 0.7 to 5.4 microns wavelength region. Approximately 14,000 spectra of Shuttle glow, airglow, aurora, and the orbiter environment were obtained during the eight day mission. The STS-39 Space Shuttle Discovery was launched from the NASA Kennedy Space Center on 28 April, 1991 into a 57-deg inclination circular orbit at an altitude of 260 km.

Ahmadjian, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1980

Studies of auroral X-ray imaging from high altitude spacecraft

Results of a study of techniques for imaging the aurora from a high altitude satellite at X-ray wavelengths are summarized. The X-ray observations allow the straightforward derivation of the primary auroral X-ray spectrum and can be made at all local times, day and night. Five candidate imaging systems are identified: X-ray telescope, multiple pinhole camera, coded aperture, rastered collimator, and imaging collimator. Examples of each are specified, subject to common weight and size limits which allow them to be intercompared. The imaging ability of each system is tested using a wide variety of sample spectra which are based on previous satellite observations. The study shows that the pinhole camera and coded aperture are both good auroral imaging systems. The two collimated detectors are significantly less sensitive. The X-ray telescope provides better image quality than the other systems in almost all cases, but a limitation to energies below about 4 keV prevents this system from providing the spectra data essential to deriving electron spectra, energy input to the atmosphere, and atmospheric densities and conductivities. The orbit selection requires a tradeoff between spatial resolution and duty cycle.

Mckenzie, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Studies in upper and lower atmosphere coupling

The theoretical and data-analytic work on upper and lower atmosphere coupling performed under a NASA Headquarters contract during the period April 1978 to March 1979 are summarized. As such, this report is primarily devoted to an overview of various studies published and to be published under this contract. Individual study reports are collected as exhibits. Work performed under the subject contract are in the following four areas of upper-lower atmosphere coupling: (1) Magnetosphere-ionosphere electrodynamic coupling in the aurora; (2) Troposphere-thermosphere coupling; (3) Ionosphere-neutral-atmosphere coupling; and (4) Planetary wave dynamics in the middle atmosphere.

Chiu, Y. T.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Comparison of satellite self-contamination experiments and scattering return flux calculations

Gaseous emissions from a spacecraft modify the orbital environment and degrade the observations of distant radiation sources. These emissions also provide contamination fluxes induced by self-scattering and scattering with ambient particles. Experiments were carried out on the orbiting Atmosphere Explorer D satellite (AE-D) to verify the calculated return fluxes of a neon source. Known rates of neon were emitted in the direction of the velocity vector on command from the MRMU (molecular return measurement unit). At 250 km the neutral mass spectrometer indicated a total neon return flux of 0.0246 times the emitted flux. The calculated fraction was 0.0123, including 0.00914 for the ambient scatter and 0.00354 for the altitude-independent self-scatter. The pressure gages indicated pressures less than 7 microtorr at altitudes from 161 to 210 km. The maximum pressure for the 161-km orbit was calculated as 0.74 microtorr.

Scialdone, J. J.↗